In a thrilling start to the second round of the NHL playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs edged past the Florida Panthers with a narrow 5-4 victory in Game 1, but the game was marred by a controversial incident involving Panthers forward Sam Bennett and Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Bennett will not face any suspension for hitting Stolarz with his elbow, as confirmed by an NHL spokesperson on Tuesday.
The incident occurred midway through the second period when the Panthers were trailing 3-1. Bennett, while on a power play, crashed into Stolarz, who remained in the game for several minutes before being replaced after showing signs of distress. He was later seen vomiting on the bench and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
“I get it, they miss calls,” said Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube after the game. “But it’s clearly a penalty.” However, referees Chris Rooney and Graham Skilliter did not assess a penalty on the play, leading to outrage among Toronto fans.
Stolarz, who joined the Leafs as a free agent from Florida in the offseason, was evaluated at the hospital but returned to the team’s practice facility the following day. While Berube confirmed that Stolarz was doing well, he expressed uncertainty about the goaltender’s availability for Game 2 on Wednesday night.
“He was evaluated in the hospital Monday night, and he was at the practice facility this morning,” Berube said on Tuesday. “I don’t know if he has a concussion or if he’ll be ready to go.”
The incident has sparked a heated debate among fans and analysts alike, with many calling for retribution against Bennett. Social media was abuzz with comments, with one user stating, “Eye for an eye is about to make the world blind.”
In light of the incident, Bennett addressed the media, expressing concern for his friend Stolarz. “I reached out to him. He responded,” Bennett said. “Obviously, you never want to see an injury like that, but from my point of view, I’m just taking the puck to the net. I didn’t even know that I made contact until after.”
Bennett dismissed the idea that his actions were intentional, insisting that he was simply focused on scoring. “Looking back at the video, I mean, really, the contact that was made was, in my opinion, it’s really just a bump. There was no forceful action,” he stated.
Craig Button of TSN supported the NHL’s decision not to impose any further discipline on Bennett, confirming that he would be in the lineup for Game 2. Meanwhile, the status of Stolarz remains uncertain, as the Leafs prepare to rely on backup goaltender Joseph Woll.
Woll, who stepped in during the game and managed to secure the win despite conceding three goals, is expected to take the starting position in Game 2. “Joe is awesome,” said defenceman Brandon Carlo. “We got some great riches here with having two goalies as good as they are.”
As the series progresses, the focus has shifted to Woll’s ability to maintain the momentum for the Leafs, who are looking to build on their 1-0 series lead against the defending champion Panthers. Berube emphasized the importance of discipline and focus, urging his players not to seek revenge on Bennett. “I talked to my players about focusing on the game and playing the game hard and playing it the right way,” he said.
Berube reflected on how the approach to retribution has changed since his playing days. “When I played, somebody would have done something right away,” he chuckled. “But now, you end up in the penalty box. And we don’t need that. We’ve got to focus on the game.”
Despite the tension surrounding the incident, both teams are gearing up for an intense Game 2, with the Leafs hoping to capitalize on their home-ice advantage. With emotions running high and the stakes elevated, fans can expect a fierce battle as the series continues.
As the puck drops on Game 2, all eyes will be on Woll, who has had a standout season with a record of 27-14-1 and a .909 save percentage. “He’s one of the most dedicated guys I’ve been around. He works at his game constantly,” Berube said of Woll. “We’ve got a ton of faith in him.”
In the aftermath of Game 1, the Maple Leafs are determined to keep their focus on the ice and not let the incident with Bennett distract them from their goal of advancing in the playoffs. With the series still in its early stages, the outcome remains uncertain, and both teams are poised to fight for every inch.
As the playoff action unfolds, fans will be eagerly watching to see how the situation develops, especially regarding Stolarz’s health and Bennett’s role in the upcoming games. The rivalry between the Maple Leafs and Panthers promises to deliver high-stakes drama as they compete for a chance to move forward in the playoffs.
